How much does a biomedical engineer make?
a year · about $53 an hour
A typical biomedical engineer in the United States makes $109,370 a year, about $53 an hour, about 2.1× a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
In a lab or office, a biomedical engineer might design a medical device, run computer models, or test equipment for safety. They review results, write reports, and plan improvements with scientists, clinicians, or other engineers.
Did you know? At Penn State, a lab device that mimics a heartbeat had already ticked through about 250 million beats while testing heart-assist equipment.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $71,850 and $168,180How do you become one?
Study math and science in high school, then earn a biomedical-engineering bachelor’s; internships help. Many start in their early 20s; in the U.S., research leaders may need graduate school, and a PE license is optional for many industry jobs.
School needed: Usually a bachelor's degree
Good for people who like figuring things out and building and doing
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., pay can differ with experience, advanced study, and whether a Professional Engineer license helps in a particular role. Employer, location, and the kind of work—such as device design or research—also matter, and some jobs involve extra hours.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Arizona ($141,230), lowest in Texas ($92,600).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $71,850 | $109,370 | $168,180 | about 23,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $141,230 | about 610 |
| California | $128,310 | about 3,000 |
| Minnesota | $127,730 | about 1,000 |
| Massachusetts | $127,570 | about 5,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $122,560 | about 950 |
Official definition: Apply knowledge of engineering, biology, chemistry, computer science, and biomechanical principles to the design, development, and evaluation of biological, agricultural, and health systems and products, such as artificial organs, prostheses, instrumentation, medical information systems, and health management and care delivery systems.
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/biomedical-engineers.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/17-2031.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.embs.org/pulse/articles/professional-licensure-biomedical-engineers
- www.pennstatehealthnews.org/topics/unique-division-brings-heart-devices-to-life
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY